Christian Groups Seek to Block Gay Marriages in San Francisco

More than 1,700 gay and lesbian couples have exchanged vows in mid-February in San Francisco, but Christian legal groups are hoping to block the same-sex unions. Newly-elected, liberal San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom touched off the wedding spree by ordering officials to issue licenses to same-sex couples, declaring that he was merely ensuring equal treatment of homosexuals. Shortly after Newsom's controversial decision, the Arizona-based Alliance Defence Fund sued to block same-sex unions, and San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren has scheduled a hearing in the case. Liberty Counsel, an Orlando, Florida-based Christian firm, also plans to ask the court to issue an emergency injunction blocking Newsom's attempt to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Conservatives point to a ballot initiative approved by 61 percent of California voters in 2000 that says the state will only recognize marriages between a man and woman. Randy Thomasson, director of the Campaign for California Families, another group challenging the gay marriages in court, said that Newsom "can't play God." Family Research Council president, Tony Perkins, added: "The state of California must rebuff the efforts of this rogue mayor. His actions ... show that homosexual activists are ready and willing to ignore the people and to ignore the law to further their agenda of normalizing homosexuality and gaining public acceptance of their behavior." (From Charisma News Service) Meanwhile, President George W. Bush said on February 18 that he was troubled by gay weddings in San Francisco and by legal decisions in Massachusetts that could clear the way for same-sex marriage. He declined to say whether he was close to backing a constitutional ban. The London Free Press reported: ÒI have watched carefully whatÕs happening in San Francisco, where licences were being issued, even though the law states otherwise,Ó Bush said. ÒI have consistently stated that IÕll support law to protect marriage between a man and a woman. Obviously these events are influencing my decision.Ó

Let us pray that President Bush will have the stamina and the faith to be influenced strongly to do what is biblically required of a leader.